Getting a new puppy is an exciting and wonderful event! Whether it's one you fell in love with from the shelter, or a specific breed you know and adore, getting a new puppy is always fun! Along with the usual obedience and house training lessons, you have surely read or been told about the importance of socializing your puppy. Dog trainer Ian Dunbar wrote in his excellent book Before You Get Your Puppy:

Socializing early sets your dog up for long term success. A dog that is friendly around other dogs and people (especially strangers) is a dog that is easy to own and live with, and makes for a relationship with more love. 

So you have the goal of how many people and dogs you want to meet by a certain age, so how can you meet this goal?

If your puppy hasn't received all of their puppy shots, there is a risk of certain diseases, parvo virus being the number one concern. If you're carrying your puppy the risk of catching parvo is greatly reduced, since it spreads the easiest through an infected dogs urine and feces. So if you're worried about the risk, carrying your pup is a great way to keep them safe!

There are lots of stores that allow dogs. The two that are the best are Lowes and Home Depot (always call specific locations ahead of time to confirm they allow dogs).

Home Depot and Lowe's are great places for socialization for several reasons. Firstly, lots of people! There are plenty of people there that will love to meet your puppy, and give it great positive interactions.

Secondly, many of the patrons are contractors and construction workers who will have beards or wear hats. These are things that seem insignificant, but when it comes to puppys it's a big deal! Being exposed to these things young is extremely important to a dogs future confidence.

Lastly, there is a large variety of sounds and sights and smells. From the garden section, to lumber, to tools, your puppy can hear saws, drills, concrete being moved around etc. Hearing these things now is a huge boost in the socialization game for your puppy. 

​With so many different types of collars out there for your pooch, you may begin to wonder “What’s the difference?” Each type or style of collar has a unique purpose. The ultimate goal of any type of collar is to get your dog to walk on a leash without pulling you. How do you choose the right collar for you and your dog?

We really love the idea of dogs heading to the park with their parents to meet new friends and playing outside, while sporting big goofy grins.  Spending time with your pup, socializing, and exercising!   What could go wrong?  Well, too much, and quickly.  

We have heard endless horror stories from our guests and our vets of dogs being attacked and seriously injured, killed, or at a minimum truly traumatized.  There are too many irresponsible people that unleash their dogs, without knowing (or caring) what they may do to another dog.   In most of these cases, we hear that there is no parent to be found or they grab their dog and run after an attack.  

Another concern is that proof of vaccinations is not required or checked at dog parks. The assumption people may have, if a parent cares about their dog enough to take them to the park, then certainly they take them to the vet. Most parents do take their dogs to the vet frequently, but there are a lot that do not. Many diseases and illnesses can be transferred from pup to pup through direct contact or through contaminated water. When your dog drinks from the same water bowl or fountain as other dogs, they are being directly exposed to anything they might be carrying, yikes! 

It can be hard having the right mix of fun and safety when caring for your dog, and it’s up to each parent to determine what is the right mix for their particular pup. 

So, what should you do?  Ideally, AVOID the dog park altogether.  If you do go, take some precautions:
• Watch the dogs playing for a while, before adding your pup to the mix.  
• Have your dog greet other dogs, while on their leash. 
• Only have your dog play with dogs that are the same size.  
• Small dogs are at the highest risk of injury or death.  Only go to parks that have a small dog area for your little baby.  
• You can also bring your dog’s own water bowl to decrease the risk of illness.  
• Don’t bring more than 1 dog to the dog park unless you have someone with you to watch the other dog.  It is too hard for one person to control/monitor 1 dog off leash, much less 2. 

Make sure YOU are a responsible dog park parent:
• Keep up with their vaccinations.  Some vaccinations, such as bordetella/kennel cough may need to be renewed every 6 months.  Add an alert to your phone, and keep a copy on your phone.  
• Socialize your dog. Taking your pup to a doggy day care for a controlled playtime is a really great idea.  At Wag Atlanta, the Wag Pack plays for hours throughout the day, giving your pup great exposure to appropriate dog behavior.
• Training is always a good idea.  Being able to have your dog return to you when you call them and to sit patiently is SO important.
• Puppies can really aggravate other dogs.   They are at an increased risk of injury with other dogs getting tired of the toddler nipping at them and they may snap.   Keep your pup with same aged dogs.  Again, a doggy day care is the best option.
• Don’t let your large dog play with small dogs.  You may have the friendliest dog there is, but their excitement and a case of the zoomies can do real accidental damage to those tiny bodies.
• Just because your small dog likes to play with big dogs, does not mean those big dogs will want to play with your small dog.  We see people, alllllllllllll the time, let their tiny dogs into the park with the big dogs and just say "oh they love BIG dogs!"
• Many dogs can be protective of you.  They may become aggressive when another dog approaches you.  This is one reason you really want to keep them on leash to introduce them to others.  
• Do not bring your intact/non-neutered male or your intact/non-spayed female who is in heat to the dog park.  

Another option, arrange play groups with neighbors and friends.  This can grow really fast for a large pool of pups!   This is much safer and can be a lot of fun!  This gives you control of the dogs your pup will be playing with and can lead to some true bonded besties.  You will love seeing their face light up when they see all their friends are there.

Socialization is really important for a well behaved, healthy, happy dog.  Our day care hours are from 6 am to 10 pm.  Let your baby come play with us!   

As autumn rolls around every year, we start to notice an abundance of one particular vegetable: pumpkins! While we as pet owners may enjoy pumpkin pie or pumpkin spiced coffees, but did you ever consider your pup might enjoy this super squash as much as you do? 

Pumpkin puree can be a beneficial treat for your dog or cat. It is loaded with fiber that aids your pet’s digestion. Pumpkin puree will absorb excess water and can be an effective treatment for diarrhea. The high fiber content is also helpful in keeping your pet regular and treating constipation. In cats, pumpkin puree can assist in moving fur balls through their digestive tract (and into the litterbox!) rather than being hacked up onto your carpet. 

Along with treating various tummy troubles, pumpkin is also packed with vitamins! Vitamin A in pumpkins will help promote healthy vision. It has plenty of vitamin C for immune health. Dogs who have joint problems will also benefit from the boost in vitamin C, as their bodies consume more vitamin C than they are capable of producing. To keep your baby looking shiny and beautiful, pumpkins are also a great source of Zinc. 

If your fur baby is a little too chunky, pumpkin puree can be the key to weight loss. Due to its high fiber content, pumpkin puree can help your pet feel fuller, while actually consuming less calories! Combined with exercise and appropriate feeding amounts, pumpkin puree can help you reach your goal for your pet’s weight.

Pumpkin puree is an affordable and easily accessible supplement to your cat or dog’s food. Be sure that when you are shopping for your pumpkin puree, you buy the plain can of puree. Pre-spiced, sweetened, or “Ready for Pie” purees are meant for human consumption only. Consult your veterinarian to find out how much pumpkin is right for your pet, as serving sizes will vary depending on the size of your baby, and your goals. 
​
Overall, pumpkin puree can be a very helpful tool. Whether you are looking to settle an upset tummy, pack some vitamins into your baby’s diet, help them lose weight, or just offer them a special treat, pumpkin can be an advantageous part of your pantry! 

​Nail health is often overlooked. Keeping up with your pup’s nail length can prevent pain and potential paw and joint issues and keep you from getting scratched.

​Nails should never touch the floor.  The clicking on your floors is a sure sign that your dog’s nails need attention.   

​Nails that touch the floor are putting pressure back into your dog’s nail bed and paw.  This is painful!  Eventually it will affect the way your dog walks and hurt their joints. 
 
Long nails can fracture or split on abrasive surfaces such as concrete.   Neglected nails are also more likely to split or become snagged on carpet and may need treatment.  Long nails can injure your dog’s playmates, because dogs use their paws and mouth when they tussle and play.  Regular nail trim can avoid all these risks!
 
As the nails grow, so do their “quicks”.  The quick is the pink part of the nail containing the nerves and blood.  If nails are allowed to grow without trimming, it takes much longer to take them back down to the correct length.  Since the quick is much longer, you can only take small amounts at a time.   It is important to maintain nails to prevent this. 
 
The best way to trim your dog’s nails is with a grinding tool or dremel.  A grinding tool allows a much closer trim with the ability to trim above, below, and all around the quick.  The quick will recede when the nail has been trimmed closely.  This allows you to go even shorter the next time!
 
Let us treat your dog to a pedicure!  Our trained staff will use a dremel tool for the closest trim!

To make sure we are giving your baby exactly what they need and they have plenty of food for their stay, we do REQUIRE that their food is brought portioned out into their individual meals.   Please, make sure to clearly label them if they are not all the same.  We should have one bag/container for each meal they will get while with us. 
 
We can accommodate your feeding needs!

• Treats, of course!
• Water is ALWAYS in every den and every yard.  
• Yes, we can do raw food.  No bones, please.
• Refrigerated Food, no problem!
• Mix in wet or other additive.  Yep, we can do it!
• Forgot their food?
  • We can provide house food for $4/day per dog for emergency situations.
  • We often have parents ship us their food, so that their pup stays on the same diet.

 
Because we are not watching your pup the entire time they are eating, for your pup’s safety we cannot give your dog:

• Rawhides
• Raw food with bones.  Please, de-bone!

 
 
TIPS!
 
If you know that your dog is super high energy and participates in group play, you may want to add a little extra to each portion.  They are outside running and playing for hours and will be burning more energy than they do at home. 
 
All uneaten food that is offered to your dog will be disposed.  To keep our facility as clean as possible and to offer your dog only fresh clean food, we cannot collect uneaten food and offer it again later. If your pup usually goes on a hunger strike when boarding, you may want to lessen the amount you pack per meal.  You may consider including some wet food, a food additive or other savory topper to entice them to eat.  
 
Make sure your feeding instructions are correct on your dog’s profile!  You can log in and view or edit this as needed.  Leave us any special instructions here as well. 
 
Zip baggies work great to portion dry food.  Small plastic containers are great for meal toppers, and we are happy to return them to you!

Thank you for helping us make sure your pup has a great stay at Wag!

Hopefully you never have to administer first aid for your dog, but if you do, you want to make sure that you have a complete kit.

Top things to include:

1. Clean cloth's for applying pressure to any injuries.

2. A copy of your pets medical and vaccination records. In case of having to run to an emergency vet, having this papers close at hand will help the vet know if your pup has any allergies, and what vaccinations they have.

​3. Digital Thermometer for testing their temperature. Remember that dogs temperatures are taken rectally not orally. When cleaning it never run it under water, as this can ruin it.

4. Gauze for bandaging wounds. Remember not to remove old layers. Always stack! New gauze goes on top of old gauze, or else you'll remove the scab that was being formed.

5. Adhesive tape for securing the gauze.

6. Liquid benedryl. Sometimes benerdyl can mean the difference between your dog being able to breath, or not. With this make sure to also pack needless syringes to administer.

​If you are selling you home, no doubt your realtor has given you a list of things to do around the house to create a clean slate for potential buyers.  Top of the list includes you and your family not being present during showings, including your pets.
 
You may think leaving them in a garage, kennel, or yard will suffice. Not really.  Here is are things to consider:

1. Potential buyers want to view the entire property, including whatever room or area your pet is staying.  Give them a full access pass!
2. Your dog will be stressed with strangers coming in and out of your house.  This stress not only will affect your pet, but can affect your showing.  Some dogs will have accidents when they are stressed.  This reaction or barking is not welcoming.
3. Curious buyers will open a gate to see the entire property, potentially letting your dog or cat out of an enclosure or fenced yard.    
4. You can be held liable for your pet biting someone on your property.  Your dog or cat may not normally be a biter, but with strangers coming in your home and possibly interacting with your pet they can behave quite differently.  Don't take this risk!
5. Some people are scared of dogs and will not go in to a property with one on site.

 
So, what do you do?  Take your pets off site during showings.  Take them for a walk or leave them with a friend.  If this is not an option for you, consider a local day care or boarding facility.  Your pet can be socialized and play with friends while you sell your home. 
 
Our service is recommended by many local realtors giving their clients flexible hours and competitive rates.  We have a fantastic day care and boarding program.  Dogs will enjoy their stay with us and you will have a piece of mind during your transition.  

What is Socializing my Dog?

Your dog being social is just what it sounds like; your dog is able to be out in public, and around other dogs and act sociably. This means that:

1. They are able to read other dogs body language, and react appropriately. If a dog initializes play with your dog, they are able to tell that they are playing and acts accordingly.  They will also learn when another dog does NOT want to play, which can be equally important.
2. They are able to tell when a human is being friendly and act friendly towards them. They don’t cower or bear their teeth in fear.

When should I socialize my Dog?

As soon as possible! The younger the dog, the easier and more effective the process will be for them. If they’re not a puppy anymore, then start right now! The older they get, the more set in their ways they will be and it becomes more difficult for them to learn new things and adjust to different scenarios.

How do I socialize my Dog?

Getting them around as many other people, dogs, and places as possible will help socialize your dog! The more dogs that your dog meets, the better they will be at reading other dog’s body language. This means better at greeting new dogs, better at playing with other dogs, and that your dog will have more confidence overall.

How can Day Care help?

Wag Atlanta's Day Care program groups dogs based on size and temperment.  The groups get tons of time together, giving them endless opportunites for them to make new friends.  New dogs are being added to the group all the time, creating more chances for them to hone their skills.  The dogs in the group will "correct" any inappropriate behaviors from a a new dog.  The new dogs will catch on quickly and become comfortable and social!  It is wonderful to see them bonding, learning, and growing.  

A social dog is a happy dog!  At Wag Atlanta, our daycare runs from 6am-10pm.  Come play with us!